4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Lizzie]

I just wanted to share my experiences from the weekend - somebody may be able to offer some answers ?

I went down as usual to let my girls out Saturday morning and Dorothy was sitting in the nest looking very sorry for herself. There were two eggs already there (not hers) so I left her in case she was trying to lay. I went back an hour later and she was still there, so I gently moved her off the eggs and there was a long strand of soft egg shell hanging out of her vent. (Dorothy has been laying a few soft eggs recently). I carefully removed it for her and she came down to the run, but wouldn't eat. She was drinking absolutely loads and looked very miserable and cold.

 

I took her straight down the vets and they kept her in in case she was egg bound - she was given an anesthetic so an xray could be taken (they wanted to check that she was not egg bound and if there was anything left to pass). Whilst she was being examined, more bits of very soft egg were being discharged.

 

Dorothy was allowed to come home witha course of antibitotics and we kept her in an isolation ward (our downstairs loo and part of the hall) monitoring her very closely. She picked up slightly during the evening but by the morning was exactly the same as she had been the previous day.

 

However, again, once she had passed some more soft egg (that's what it looked like ) she perked up. We kept her in again last night and this morning, she woke up, chatting and eating everything she could find - she really was pretty much back to herself and so we put her back in her run with the others and she has been fine so far.

 

The vets were not sure what was wrong - the antibiotics were for her skin as it is very red around the base of her tail and her bottom, but they said that it would also help if she did have an internal infection. To us, it does seem that something is / was wrong inside as everytime she passes soft egg bits, she perks up.

 

Anyhow, we were very sad to see her so poorly, but thrilled that she is responding to treatment so far.

 

Does anybody thoughts what could have been wrong ?

 

Relieved chook owner.

[AnnieP]

Great news! She sounds like she is on the up.

 

Soft shelled eggs really do take it out of a chicken, no wonder she has been under teh weather, poor thing.The only obvious advice now that I can think of is the usual: She needs to eat enough pellets to produce good shells.

I agree with you trying to feed her up if she hasn't been eating, but please remember she will need to stay off treats if her shell production is going to kick into gear again.

 

Fingers crossed she now goes from strength to strength!

[Egluntyne]

I'd be inclined to give her some ZolcalD, which is a calcium and Vit D supplement. It will help firm up the shells and increase the muscular contractions required to push the egg along the egg laying tract.

 

Article on egg binding **here**.

[Lizzie]

Many thanks for the advice and help - I will order some Zolcal D now.

[Lizzie]

Dorothy is back in her run now and has laid an egg, but without any shell - does anybody have any ideas what is wrong ?

Worried chook owner again.

[mostin]

I completely agree with Egluntine, last week my Prissy was so ill. She is mid moult but one day wouldn't move, wouldn't eat any treats, just sat huddled with her eyes closed. It really looked as if it was curtains for her. The next morning she layed a softee and then was back to normal, it makes them so ill.

 

I am putting some Zolcal D in the water now and she is fine, in fact layed her biggest egg ever today!. How old is your girl? Is it possible she is about to just enter a moult? Once your Zolcal D arrives I'm sure you will see an improvement. Remember to limit treats in the meantime so she can get all she possibly can from the layers pellets.

[Lizzie]

Please ignore my last post - wrong info from my parents who were over checking on Dorothy - she has laid an egg, but completly soft - I am hoping that is a good sign as at least its not in pieces anymore.

Dorothy is about 2 years old (I believe) and is an ex batt. I guess she still looks the worst of all five, but she has vastly improved today and am hoping the antibiotics will sort out the underlying problem. The vet did do a Calcium blood test and said that her levels were good but I will still get the Zolcal D to try and help her more.

 

Many thanks for the advice - I am very grateful.

[sandyhas3chucks]

try not too worry too much, as I can do that for both of us What you describe is exactly how mine are when they lay softees. I have got one ex bat that had been doing it for weeks, also loosing weigt & had dihorrea. a course of antibiotics sorted that, then we had ok eggs & the weather changed & we are back to sometimes soft sometimes ok. this particulasr girl can lay a whole softee, a membaney softee, a softee with no yolk followed hours later by the yolk, the albumen 1st followed up to half an hour later by the yolk, and often the chewing gum shell is there in the morning. They all seem to drink gallons when it's on the way. Now he other girl, not an ex bat when she lays one there is so much liguid, you would not believr however up to now she also lays a long stringy shell straight after which like you I oh so gently assist it out.

It took herall day until 3 or 4 to lay 1 just whrn I was thinking I should get her to the vet!

Another one I nearly lost afyer 3 weeks with egg perionitis. (these are my 1st ever girls)Now I watch carefully ifd it's not al expelled that I have seen (gets eaten to) AND they are sick, then I would be off to the vet.

I do hope this helps you worry less !

I think Egluntine has shares in Zolcal D.!